Letter to the Hon. Donald Trump, President of the United States - Schumer, Gillibrand Urge President Trump To Support Major Disaster Declaration For New York State In Wake Of Tropical Storm Isaias

Letter

Dear President Trump,

We are writing in strong support of Governor Cuomo's request for a Major Disaster Declaration for New York State, under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), for Public Assistance Categories A-G for Nassau and Suffolk Counties and statewide Hazard Mitigation for damage caused by Tropical Storm Isaias on August 4, 2020. We also encourage Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue working closely with the state to complete the outstanding Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) for the Dutchess, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, and Westchester Counties.

As was described in the Governor's request, Tropical Storm Isaias produced severe and damaging weather, including heavy rain and strong winds, across a number of counties in New York City, Long Island, and the lower Hudson Valley. These severe weather conditions resulted in widespread loss of electricity across the region, as well as numerous road closures from debris and other dangerous conditions, and damage to private and public property and infrastructure. Immediately after the storm, a State Disaster Emergency was declared for the affected counties.

Starting last month, FEMA Region 2 conducted a joint PDA with New York State for eight New York counties: Dutchess, Nassau, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester. According to information provided by the state, $48 million in state and local costs for infrastructure repair and debris removal were identified for Nassau and Suffolk Counties in the joint PDA. We are told that the state and FEMA are still working to complete the PDAs for the other counties and we encourage you to stand ready should they request additional support for the affected counties. Even without these other counties, the damage in Nassau and Suffolk exceeds both the countywide per capita threshold, as well as the statewide threshold for Public Assistance.

Given the fiscal constraints already facing our state and counties prior to Tropical Storm Isaias, we urge you to promptly approve this urgently needed federal assistance by declaring this event a major disaster. Thank you for your attention to urgent matter.

Sincerely,

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